Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has concluded the detailed design of its ZUI agricultural and firefighting aircraft and plans to build the first prototype by the fourth quarter of this year.
The single-engined aircraft, the first to be designed and built by TAI, is aimed initially at the burgeoning Turkish agricultural industry. The Ankara-based manufacturer is conducting market research aimed at identifying the requirements of 36 Turkish companies, each operating three to five agricultural aircraft - a potential replacement market of around 140.
The single-seat aircraft is also a contender for the Turkish Government-funded Southeast Anatolia Project, designed to develop agriculture within the country's arid region through the aerial transportation of water to the crops from the newly built dams. TAI says: "Although our production schedule has not yet been finalised, our preliminary market analysis suggests a demand for up to 300 agricultural aircraft in Turkey in the next 20 years."
Following customer approval, TAI plans to fund the rest of the project through private investment and government support. "First we have to complete a feasibility study, looking at certification and other costs involved in the project," it says.
The multirole agricultural aircraft, powered by Canada's Orenda Recip OE-600 V-8 piston powerplant, offers a 1,500 litre (395 USgal) hopper capacity. It is designed for rough runways in hot and high conditions. TAI also plans to offer a turboprop variant.
Source: Flight International
